Puerto Rico gov't halts funds disbursement for Miss Universe 2026 — report

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December 12, 2025 | 11:21am

MANILA, Philippines — The Puerto Rican government has reportedly halted the disbursment of funds for the 75th edition of Miss Universe, which will take place on the island next year.

Willianette Robles Cancel, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, confirmed to local newspaper El Vocero that public funds will no longer be disbursed to Miss Universe until a formal meeting with the organization's executives takes place.

As of writing, the Puerto Rican government has disbursed $3 million (P177 million) to Miss Universe as part of the initial half of $9 million (P531 million) committed to investing, as indicated in a signed agreement.

The final $1.5 million (P88 million) to complete the first half was scheduled for release earlier this week until authorities intervened.

According to Cancel, any future payment will depend on a meeting with Miss Universe Americas head Ronald Day, who's been serving as the main liaison between the Puerto Rican government and Miss Universe.

The said meeting will address a number of outstanding issues, new requirements for hosting, proposals not indicated in the original agreement, and the handling and dissemination of information, particularly of the pageant's internal processes.

Cancel also noted the agreement between Miss Universe and the Puerto Rican government includes clauses that protect the use of public fund in case of cancellation or breaches by JKN Universe, LLC which co-owns the main Miss Universe franchise.

No date has been set for the meeting but Cancel is eyeing it to take place sometime in January next year.

Puerto Rico governor Jenniffer González Colón previously indicated that hosting Miss Universe next year would provide around 700 direct and 400 indirect jobs, as well as a projected economic impact between $80 million and $200 million (P4.72 billion and P11.8 billion).

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Over a hundred contestants staying in hotels would generate an estimated $14 million (P827 million) in revenue.

The last time Puerto Rico hosted Miss Universe was in 2002 when Oxana Fedorova won Russia's first-ever crown. Karen Agustin represented the Philippines that year, which was Puerto Rico's third time hosting.

Fedorova, however, had to relinquish her title as she was unable to travel and fulfill her duties; thus, she was subsequently replaced by her first runner-up Justine Pasek of Panama.

The 2002 edition is the first Miss Universe crown for Panama and remains the only time the runner-up assumed the title.

Puerto Rico also hosted the 2001 edition, won by hometown bet Denise Quiñones. That year saw an economic impact of $28.6 million (P1.69 billion) from an $11 million (P650 million) investment.

This financial hurdle is the latest controversy hounding Miss Universe, which crowned Fatima Bosch of Mexico last year, much to the surprise of many in the pageant world.

Allegations of business dealings behind the curtains, judge resignations, and the lack of independent auditors added fuel to the fire of Miss Universe 2025.

The Mexican government reportedly froze the bank accounts of Miss Universe president and co-owner Raul Rocha as part of a criminal investigation involving drugs, fuel and arms trafficking.

Meanwhile, Rocha's fellow co-owner of the main Miss Universe franchise, Anne Jakrajutatip, was issued an arrest warrant by a Thai court for a fraud case.

RELATED: Mexico freezes Miss Universe president's bank accounts amid criminal probe